Thread transition management

ABSTRACT

A system and process for managing thread transitions includes providing two data register sets coupled to a processor and using, by the processor, the two register sets as first-level registers for thread execution. A determination is made whether a quantity of the first-level registers needed to execute one or more threads exceeds a quantity of the first-level registers of the two data register sets. Responsive to determining that the quantity of the first-level registers needed to execute the one or more threads exceeds the quantity of the first-level registers of the two data register sets, a portion of main memory or cache memory is assigned as second-level registers where the second-level registers serve as registers of at least one of the two data register sets for executing the one or more threads.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to processors, and more specifically toprocessor threads.

Advanced processors can typically create a number of threads (e.g.,four), which may be subparts of a process. The threads are usuallyassigned identifiers (e.g., 0, 1, 2, and 3) and executed in atime-division multiplex manner by the processor. Additionally, thethreads may share the same memory (e.g., registers) on the processor orhave memory assigned to them (e.g., particular registers). When a threadis complete, its data is typically removed from the processor memory bystopping operations, moving the data to be retained out to anothermemory (e.g., main memory), invalidating the processor memory, and thenloading the data to be saved back into the processor memory.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one implementation, a process for managing thread transitions mayinclude providing two data register sets coupled to a processor andusing, by the processor, the two register sets as first-level registersfor thread execution. A determination is made whether a quantity of thefirst-level registers needed to execute one or more threads exceeds aquantity of the first-level registers of the two data register sets.Responsive to determining that the quantity of the first-level registersneeded to execute the one or more threads exceeds the quantity of thefirst-level registers of the two data register sets, a portion of mainmemory or cache memory is assigned as second-level registers where thesecond-level registers serve as registers of at least one of the twodata register sets for executing the one or more threads.

The details and features of various implementations will be conveyed bythe following description, along with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example system for managingthread transitions.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example process for managingthread transitions.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating another example process for managingthread transitions.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an additional example process formanaging thread transitions.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a further example process formanaging thread transitions.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating another example process for managingthread transitions.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating an example computer system forwhich thread transitions may be managed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Processor thread transitions may be managed by various techniques. Inparticular implementations, managing thread transitions may include theability to move thread data between data register sets and second-levelregisters. Being able to move thread data between data register sets andsecond-level registers may provide a variety of benefits, such asallowing threads to start without stopping current operations, allowingdata register sets to operate in a mirrored manner for multiple threads,and/or allowing an expanded number of threads to operate.

As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the presentdisclosure may be implemented as a system, method, or computer programproduct. Accordingly, aspects of the present disclosure may take theform of an entirely hardware environment, an entirely softwareembodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.), oran implementation combining software and hardware aspects that may allgenerally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module,” or “system.”Furthermore, aspects of the present disclosure may take the form of acomputer program product embodied in one or more computer readablemedium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.

Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may beutilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signalmedium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readablestorage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic,magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system,apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. Morespecific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of a computer readable storagemedium would include the following: an electrical connection having oneor more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, amagnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.In the context of this disclosure, a computer readable storage mediummay be a tangible medium that can contain or store a program for use byor in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, ordevice.

A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signalwith computer readable program code embodied therein, for example inbaseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may takeany of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to,electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. Acomputer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium thatis not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate,propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmittedusing any medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline,optical fiber cable, RF, etc. or any suitable combination of theforegoing.

Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of thedisclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programminglanguages such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventionalprocedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming languageor similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirelyon the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alonesoftware package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remotecomputer, or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latterscenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computerthrough any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or awide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an externalcomputer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet ServiceProvider).

Aspects of the disclosure are described below with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to implementations.It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrationsand/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computerprogram instructions. These computer program instructions may beprovided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purposecomputer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce amachine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor ofthe computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, createmeans for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchartand/or block diagram block or blocks.

These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computerreadable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable dataprocessing apparatus, or other device to function in a particularmanner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readablemedium produce an article of manufacture including instructions thatimplement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer,other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to causea series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, otherprogrammable apparatus, or other devices to produce a computerimplemented process such that the instructions that execute on thecomputer or other programmable apparatus provide processes forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example system 100 for managing threadtransitions. System 100 includes a processor 110, data registers 120,instruction registers 130, main memory 140, and cache memory 150.

Processor 110 includes an execution core 112, a memory mapper 114, aninstruction fetch unit 116, and an instruction queue 118. Execution core112 is responsible for processing data under the direction of programinstructions (e.g., from software) and includes an arithmetic logic unit(ALU) 113 that assists in executing the instructions. Execution core 112is also capable of simultaneously executing multiple independenthardware threads of execution. Memory mapper 114, which will bediscussed in more detail below, is responsible for managing theallocation of register data between data registers 120 and other systemmemory (e.g., main memory 140 and/or cache memory 150). Instructionfetch unit 116 is responsible for fetching and ordering instructions forexecution in multiple concurrent hardware threads. Instruction fetchunit 116 is coupled to instruction queue 118 to which the instructionfetch unit dispatches instructions and from which instructions areissued, possibly out-of-order, to execution core 112 for execution.

Instructions may take instructions may take various forms for differentinstruction types or in different instruction set architectures. As oneexample, instructions may take the form:

opcode RT, RA, RB

where opcode is the operation code of the instruction, RT, if present,identifies a logical destination (target) register that will receive theexecution result (destination operand) of the instruction, and RA andRB, if present, identify the logical source register(s) that providesource operands of the instruction.

Data registers 120 locally store the data on which execution core 112operates (e.g., source operands). The data stored by the registers may,for example, include fixed-point values, floating-point values, vectorvalues, decimal values, condition code values, count values, and/or anyother appropriate type of data. Data registers 120 also store the datathat results from operations (e.g., destination operands). The data mayalso be stored at different locations (e.g., main memory 140 and/orcache 150). The contents of data registers 120 may include botharchitected register values, which represent the current non-speculativestate of threads, as well as non-architected register values, whichrepresent working or “in-flight” values not yet committed to thearchitected state of the threads. Data registers 120 may be generalpurpose registers. That is, they may store data or pointers (e.g.,addresses) to data.

In the illustrated implementation, data registers 120 are divided intotwo sets 122. This division may, for example, allow better access toexecution core 112. For instance, by using two register sets 122, thenumber of read ports, which, for example, provide access to load/storeunits, load units, and/or floating point units, may be increased. Thedepth of (i.e., number of registers in) each register data set 122 istypically limited to a size determined to provide adequate storagecapacity for the number of supported threads while meeting desiredaccess latency and/or power consumption targets.

Instruction registers 130 locally store the instructions that executioncore 112 executes. The instructions may also be stored at differentlocations (e.g., main memory 140 and/or an instruction cache).

Main memory 140 is responsible for storing an enlarged list of theinstructions being executed, along with the associated data. Dataregisters 120 may access the specific data from main memory 140 asneeded, and instruction registers 130 may access the specificinstructions from main memory 140 as needed. In particularimplementations, main memory 140 may include random access memory (RAM).

Cache memory 150 is responsible for storing some of the data in mainmemory 140. Processor 110 may typically access cache memory 150 fasterthan main memory 140. Thus, processor 110 may attempt to store the morecommonly accessed data in cache memory 150 to speed up operations. Cachememory 150 may be implemented on-chip or off-chip.

Processor 110 may use data register sets 122 in a variety of mannersdepending on the operations called for by a process. For example, ifprocessor 110 is only executing one thread of a process, which may, infact, be the process itself, data register sets 122 may contain mirroreddata. That is, the contents of data register sets 122 may be the same.Thus, the thread may share the data register entries and accessexecution core 112 through all available ports for data registers 120.

As another example, if processor 110 is executing two threads of aprocess, data register sets 122 may contain mirrored data or split data(i.e., one thread's data on each set). For instance, if data registersets 122 each contain 64 registers and each thread requires 32registers, then each data register set 122 could hold all of the datafor each thread, which would allow the data to be mirrored. Thus, eachthread may share the data register entries and access execution core 112through all available ports for data registers 120. However, the datafor the two threads could also be split between the data register sets122 (e.g., the data for the first thread could be on data register set122 a and the data for the second thread could be on data register set122 b). Thus, each data register set 122 could contain data for only oneset of threads, and each thread could access only part of execution core112, through half of the ports available for data registers 120. Thismode could be advantageous because it typically leaves more registers inthe data register set for “in-flight” usage, which, for some workloads,could be a bottleneck.

Continuing with the example register sizes and thread requirements, oncethe thread count increases above two, the data register sets 122 may beused in a split mode, because there is insufficient room to hold all ofthe threads' data on one set. In a four thread situation, for example,the data for the first and third threads could be on data register set122 a and the data for the second and fourth thread could be on dataregister set 122 b. This would allow each thread to access executioncore 112 through half of the ports available for data registers 120.

In some situations, however, there may be a need for more threads thandata registers 120 can support. For instance, if there are four threadsrunning and each needs 32 registers, then 128 registers are needed intotal, which are typically available between set one 122 a and set two122 b. However, if eight threads need to run, then 256 registers areneeded, which are typically not available.

Memory mapper 114 is responsible for managing the register memory whenthe memory needed exceeds that available in data registers 120. Insituations in which the register memory needed is larger than theavailable data registers 120, memory mapper 114 may assign portions ofnon-register memory in system 100 (e.g., main memory 140 and/or cache150) to serve as registers. Thus, data registers 120 in combination withother memory of system 100 may serve as an enlarged number of registers,thereby creating a first register level (i.e., the data registers 120)and a second register level (i.e., portions of non-register memory).This enlarged number of registers may be operated in similar manners(e.g., mirrored or split) as registers 120, except for the latencyoccasioned by the second form of memory, which typically takes longer toaccess.

In more detail, memory mapper 114 may include data structures and logicto track architected and non-architected register values in processor110 by mapping logical registers referenced by instructions executed inexecution core 112 to particular physical registers in data registers120 or in the second-level registers. Memory mapper 114 may, forexample, associate an identifier (e.g., a number) with each thread andhave physical pointers to the architected data. Thus, logical locationsfor a thread may be converted to physical pointers to associate a threadwith a register.

For example, memory mapper 220 may include an in-flight mapper includinga plurality of entries that track, for all simultaneous threads, thephysical registers in data registers 120 allocated as destinationregisters for in-flight instructions that have not yet committedexecution results to the architected state of processor 110. The dataregister 120 allocated as the destination register of a particularinstruction may be indicated by placing a register tag (RTAG) of thephysical register in the entry of in-flight mapper assigned to thatparticular in-flight instruction.

In addition, memory mapper 114 may include a mapping data structure totrack the assignment of data registers 120 to architected logicalregisters referenced by instructions across all simultaneous threads. Inthe illustrated implementation, this data structure is implemented asarchitected mapper caches 115, each of which is associated with one ofdata register sets 122. (In mirrored memory situations, one ofarchitected mapper caches 115 may be used.) Architected mapper caches115 may, for example, include a plurality of rows that each containingmultiple entries. The rows may be indexed by an architected logicalregister (LREG) or a subset of the bits composing an LREG. Dataregisters 120 may can contain multiple physical registers for thedifferent threads corresponding to the same LREG or LREG group specifiedby the row index. Consequently, each row of an architected mapper cache115 may contain multiple mappings for a given LREG or LREG group acrossthe multiple simultaneous hardware threads.

Each row of architected mapper caches 115 may also have a respectiveassociated replacement order vector indicating a replacement order ofits entries in accordance with a selected replacement methodology (e.g.,least recently used (LRU)). The replacement order vector may be updatedwhen a row is accessed at instruction dispatch (if the source logicalregister of the dispatched instruction hits in an architected mappercache 115), at completion of an instruction having a destination logicalregister mapped by an architected mapper cache 115, and when a swaprequest that accesses an architected mapper cache is issued. A swaprequest may, for instance, be triggered when a dispatched instructionneeds to source data that does not reside in data registers 120, asdetermined by the architected mapper cache. Swap operations are queued,along with the instruction waiting on the swap, and a swap then“issues,” swapping data from the second-level registers in system 100with a victim in data registers 120. The victim is determined by thearchitected mapper cache using an LRU algorithm. Once the swap isaccomplished, the waiting instruction can be notified.

An entry in an architected mapper cache 115 may include a number offields, including an RTAG field, which identifies a physical register indata registers 120 mapped by that architected entry, as well as a threadID field identifying the hardware thread currently using the identifiedphysical register. The architected logical register currently mapped tothe data register 120 indicated by the RTAG field can be explicitlyindicated by an additional field in the entry or can be implicitlyindicated by the index into architected mapper cache 115 associated withthe entry.

In particular modes of operation, memory mapper 114 may also monitor theaccesses of the data registers (actual and simulated) by processor 110and move data that is accessed more often into data registers 120 andmove data that is not accessed into non-register memory that issimulating registers (i.e., second-level registers). For example, memorymapper 114 may include swap control logic that manages the transfer ofoperands between data registers 120 and second-level registers (e.g.,portions of cache 150 and/or main memory 140 that have been designatedas registers). In one preferred embodiment, the swap control logic maybe implemented utilizing a first-in first-out (FIFO) queue that holdsoperand transfer requests of memory mapper 114 until they are serviced.

Continuing with the example register sizes and thread requirements, ifeight threads are required for a process, the data register sets 122 maybe used in a split mode, because there is insufficient room to hold allof the threads' data on one set. But there is also insufficient room tohold all of the threads' data in data registers 120. Thus, memory mapper114 may assign other memory in system 100 to serve as registers. Forinstance, memory mapper 114 could assign 16 registers worth of mainmemory 140 to each thread, resulting in each thread having 16 registersin data registers 120 and 16 second-level registers (in main memory140).

Memory mapper 114 may even allow the register sets to be mirrored inhigh thread count situations. For example, if there are more than twothreads for the example register and thread allocation, then there arean insufficient number of registers in each of data register sets 122 toallow mirroring of the data register sets. However, by allocatingsufficient space in other memory of system 100, the register sets couldbehave as if they were mirrored. For instance, if there are four threadsthat require processing, memory mapper 114 could allocate space in mainmemory 140 equivalent to each of data register sets 122 to serve asregisters. Thus, data register set 122 a plus its equivalent allocationin main memory 140 could hold all of the data required for the threads,and data register set 122 b plus its equivalent allocation in mainmemory 140 could hold all of the data required for the threads. Memorymapper 114 could then monitor the accesses of the data by the processorand move data that is accessed more often into data registers 120 andmove data that is not accessed into the portion of main memory 140 thatis simulating registers. One of architected mapper caches 115 may beused to manage the allocation of registers between register data sets120 and the second-level registers.

The movement of data into data registers 120 from second-level registersmay be accomplished in various ways. For example, the movement may beaccomplished by using a swap, which was discussed previously. Otherthreads can be executing while this occurs as normal without quiescing.Additionally, the movement may be accomplished by using castouts, whichoccur when a target completes and does not have older architected datafor that same logical register in data registers 120 (i.e., it is in thesecond-level registers). The architected memory cache is used to find avictim (using LRU) to move from the first-level registers to thesecond-level registers to make room for the completing target.

When operating in a split mode, as threads are started, they may beassigned to particular data register sets 122. For example, a firstthread may be assigned to data register set 122 a, a second thread maybe assigned to data register set 122 b, a third thread may be assignedto data register set 122 a, and a fourth thread may be assigned to dataregister set 122 b. When starting with a given number of threads, theassignment may be predetermined or determined by an algorithm (e.g., onethat assigns threads to data register set 122 that has the least numberof active threads). Processor 110 may operate using these threads forany appropriate length of time.

Additionally, when a thread stops, its data may be flushed from dataregisters 120. For example, if the third thread stops, its data may beflushed from data register set 122 a. To accomplish this, memory mapper114 may be accessed with a thread identifier to determine which dataregister set 122 contains registers for the thread that is stopping andthe particular registers for the thread in that set. These registers maythen be invalidated by an architected memory cache. For instance, theregisters may be invalidated right away, or they can just be marked and“castout” at a later time, via dummy completions. The castout operationin this situation is similar to the one performed for a completion(mentioned above), but here the architected memory cache entry isinvalidated, and the entry victimized is kicked out of the first-levelregister (i.e., data registers 120) to the second-level registers. Theseoperations will allow registers to be freed up for the other threadsthat are on that particular data register set 122, and the entries willtypically be used relatively quickly by other threads' in-flight data.If the data is not flushed, the corresponding entries in the architectedmapper cache 115 for the stopped thread will eventually be evicted byother threads.

As additional threads are added, memory mapper 114 may assign registersto the thread without having to stop operations for the already activethreads. For instance, memory mapper 114 may assign second-levelregisters to serve as registers for a thread being added. Then, as thethread becomes more active, the data may be migrated to the dataregisters 120. The data register set 122 to handle the thread may beassigned based on a balancing algorithm.

At some points of operation, processor 110 may choose to transition dataregister sets 122 from a split mode to a mirrored mode. For example, ifthe number of threads is dropping from eight to two, the processor maydetermine that the mirrored mode is more efficient. In mirrored mode,however, the contents of the data register sets 122 are synchronized. Toaccomplish this transition, the in-flight instructions on all threadsmay be flushed, architected mapper caches 115 may be drained, the dataregisters for the remaining threads may be moved to second-levelregisters (e.g., via dummy completion operations), and data registers120 may be invalidated. Draining an architected memory cache may beaccomplished by performing castouts via dummy completions. For instance,the entries in the architected memory cache may be invalidated, andtheir victims may be moved out of data registers 120 into thenon-register memory. When finished, therefore, the architected memorycaches are empty, meaning that no architected data exists in the dataregisters 120. Then, when execution resumes in mirrored mode, data maybe brought back from the second-level registers to both of data registersets 122. As instructions complete, they will allocate entries for theirdestination registers into an architected mapper cache 115 and removevictims from other threads as necessary (although initially, no otherthreads would be in the architected memory cache).

At other points in operation, processor 110 may choose to transitiondata register sets 122 from a mirrored mode to a split mode. Forexample, the processor may choose to transition from a twothread-mirrored mode to a two thread-split mode. In these instances, anythreads that exist on data register set 122 a and that are to betransitioned to data register set 122 b are drained from architectedmapper cache 115 a so they can be reloaded into data register set 122 band its associated architected mapper cache 115 b when executionresumes. Also, when going from a mirrored mode (e.g., a twothread-mirrored mode) to a higher split mode (e.g., a four thread-splitmode), rather than moving register data for an existing thread to thesecond-level registers, the thread may be assigned to data register set122 a, while some/all of the newly added threads are assigned to dataregister set 122 b. In situations in which a relatively large imbalance,however, is going to occur (e.g., fours threads on one side and onethread on another) some of the data for the existing threads may bemoved to the second-level registers and reloaded on data register set122 b to rebalance the sets. Note that when data is moved from one ofdata register sets 122 to the second-level registers, the threads onthat data register set may have to be quiesced, or stopped, to avoid anypotential conflicts on the data usage.

In certain modes of operation an imbalance may be created between dataregister sets 122. For example, due to threads stopping, data registerset 122 a may have data for four threads, and data register set 122 bmay have data for one thread. In this instance, processor 110 may movethe data in data registers 120 to the second-level registers andreassign the threads to different data registers sets 122 (e.g., two andtwo). The data may then be brought back in from the second-levelregisters.

System 100 has a variety of features. For example, when threads stop,the remaining active threads do not have to be reassigned identifiers,which may involve writing the data in the registers to another memory,invalidating the registers, and loading the data back in the registers.Moreover, a given thread does not have to be on a given register set. Asanother example, active threads do not have to be quiesced to allowregisters to be assigned for threads being added. As an additionalexample, higher numbers of simultaneous threads may be implemented, andhigher numbers of threads may be used in a mirrored mode.

In other implementations, system 100 may include fewer or additionalelements. For example, system 100 may not include a cache. As anotherexample, system 100 may include one or more memory controllers, networkinterface cards, I/O adapters, non-volatile data storages, and/or busbridges, as well as other known elements.

FIG. 2 illustrates an example process 200 for managing threadtransitions. Process 200 may, for example, be implemented by a processorsuch as processor 110.

Process 200 calls for determining whether a thread is starting(operation 204). Determining whether a thread is starting may, forexample, be accomplished by determining whether an interrupt hasoccurred. If a thread is not starting, process 200 continues to wait fora thread to start.

Once a thread is starting, process 200 calls for determining whetherregisters in a data register set are assignable for the thread(operation 208). Registers in a data register set may, for example, beassignable if the data register set is not currently being used.

If registers in a data register set are not assignable (e.g., becausethe data register set already has an assigned thread), process 200 callsfor assigning registers for the thread in second-level registers (e.g.,main memory) (operation 212). The registers may, for example, beassigned by being tagged for the thread in a memory mapper. Data forexecuting the thread instructions may then be loaded into thesecond-level registers.

Process 200 also calls for moving data for the thread from thesecond-level registers to a data register set based on use (operation216). For example, as data for executing thread instructions isrequired, the data may be moved from the second-level registers to adata register set.

If registers in a data register set are assignable, however, process 200calls for assigning registers for the thread in a data register set(operation 220). Data for executing the thread instructions may then beloaded into the registers in the data register set.

FIG. 3 illustrates another example process 300 for managing threadtransitions. Process 300 may, for example, be implemented by a processorsuch as processor 110.

Process 300 calls for determining whether a thread is stopping(operation 304). If a thread is not stopping, process 300 continues towait for a thread to stop.

Once a thread is stopping, process 300 calls for determining registersfor the stopping thread (operation 308). Determining registers for thestopping thread may, for example, be accomplished by providing a threadidentifier to a memory mapper. Process 300 also call for flushing threadentries in the associated registers (operation 312). For instance, theseregisters may be invalidated immediately or marked for castout at alater time. The remaining threads may continue operation on as before.That is, they do not have to be reidentified and/or reassigned justbecause a thread is stopping.

FIG. 4 illustrates an additional example process 400 for managing threadtransitions. Process 400 may, for example, be implemented by a processorsuch as processor 110.

Process 400 calls for determining whether a transition from a split modeto a mirrored mode is occurring for two data register sets (operation404). If a transition from a split mode to a mirrored mode is notoccurring for two data register sets, process 400 continues to wait fora transition from a split mode to a mirrored mode.

Once a transition from a split mode to a mirrored mode is occurring,process 400 calls for moving data for the threads from a data registerset to second-level registers (operation 408). Moving the data may, forexample, entail draining the architected memory caches, by using dummycompletion operations.

Process 400 also calls for moving thread data from the second-levelregisters to data register sets based on use (operation 412).

FIG. 5 illustrates another example process 500 for managing threadtransitions. Process 500 may, for example, be implemented by a processorsuch as processor 110.

Process 500 calls for determining whether an improper imbalance existsbetween threads assigned to data register sets. For example, if one dataregister set has four assigned threads and another data register set haszero assigned threads, an improper imbalance may exist because theexecution elements are not being fully utilized. Imbalances may, forinstance, occur as threads stop. If an improper imbalance does notexist, process 500 calls for continuing to check for an improperimbalance.

Once an improper imbalance occurs, process 500 calls determining thethreads to move to the other data register set (operation 508). Forexample, the threads could be evenly divided between the data registersets. Process 500 also calls for moving data for the threads to be movedfrom the data register set(s) to second-level registers (operation 512)and reassigning the data register sets for the threads (operation 516).For example, the threads could be even divided between the data registersets.

Process 500 additionally calls for moving data from the second-levelregisters to the data register sets (operation 520). The data could, forexample, be moved based on use or loaded before resuming execution.

FIG. 6 illustrates an additional example process 600 for managing threadtransitions. Process 600 may, for example, be implemented by a processorsuch as processor 110.

Process 600 calls for determining whether a transition from a mirroredmode to a split mode is occurring for two data register sets (operation604). If a transition from a mirrored mode to a split mode is notoccurring for two data register sets, process 600 continues to wait fora transition from a mirrored mode to a split mode.

Once a transition from a mirrored mode to a split is occurring, process600 calls for determining whether new threads are being added (operation608). If new threads are not being added, process 600 calls fordetermining which threads to transition to the second register set(operation 612) and moving data for the threads to be transitioned froma data register set to second-level registers (operation 616). Toaccomplish this, for example, threads that exist on the first dataregister set and that are to be transitioned to the second data registerset may be drained from an architected mapper cache. Process 600 alsocalls for moving the data for the transitioning thread to the seconddata register set based on use when execution resumes (operation 620).

If new threads are being added, process 600 calls for leaving data forexisting threads on one data register set (operation 624) and adding thenew threads to the second data register set (operation 628). If animproper balance occurs after this, the data register sets may berebalanced (e.g., by a process similar to process 500).

The flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of systems, methods, andcomputer program products of various implementations of the disclosure.In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams mayrepresent a module, segment, or portion of code, which can include oneor more executable instructions for implementing the specified logicalfunction(s). It should also be noted that, in some alterativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or the flowchart illustration, and combination ofblocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can beimplemented by special purpose hardware-based systems the perform thespecified function or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example computer system 700 in which threadtransition management may be executed. System 700 includes a centralprocessing unit 710, an input/output system 720, and memory 730, whichare coupled together by a network 740.

Central processing unit 710 may, for example, be a microprocessor, amicrocontroller, or an application specific integrated circuit andinclude a processor and memory (e.g., registers and/or caches).Moreover, the central processing unit processor may operate by reducedinstruction set computer (RISC) or complex instruction set computer(CISC) principles. In general, central processing unit may be any devicethat manipulates data in a logical manner.

Input/output system 720 may, for example, include one or morecommunication interfaces and/or one or more user interfaces. Acommunication interface may, for instance, be a network interface card(whether wireless or wireless) or a modem. A user interface could, forinstance, be a user input device (e.g., a keyboard, a keypad, atouchpad, a stylus, or a microphone) or a user output device (e.g., amonitor, a display, or a speaker). In general, system 720 may be anycombination of devices by which a computer system can receive and outputdata.

Memory 730 may, for example, include random access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), and/or disc memory. Various items may be storedin different portions of the memory at various times. Memory 730, ingeneral, may be any combination of devices for storing data.

Memory 730 includes instructions 732 and data 736. Instructions 732include an operating system 733 (e.g., Windows, Linux, or Unix) andapplications 734 (e.g., word processing, spreadsheet, drawing,scientific, etc.). Data 736 includes the data required for and/orproduced by applications 734.

Network 740 is responsible for communicating data between processor 710,input/output system 720, and memory 730. Network 740 may, for example,include a number of different types of busses (e.g., serial andparallel).

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularimplementations only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein,the singular form “a”, “an”, and “the” are intended to include theplural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Itwill be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or“comprising,” when used in the this specification, specify the presenceof stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups therefore.

The corresponding structure, materials, acts, and equivalents of allmeans or steps plus function elements in the claims below are intendedto include any structure, material, or act for performing the functionin combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. Thedescription of the present implementations has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the implementations in the form disclosed. Manymodification and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosure. The implementations were chosen and described in order toexplain the principles of the disclosure and the practical applicationand to enable others or ordinary skill in the art to understand thedisclosure for various implementations with various modifications as aresuited to the particular use contemplated.

A number of implementations have been described for thread transitionmanagement, and several others have been mentioned or suggested.Moreover, those skilled in the art will readily recognize that a varietyof additions, deletions, modifications, and substitutions may be made tothese implementations while still achieving thread transitionmanagement. Thus, the scope of the protected subject matter should bejudged based on the following claims, which may capture one or moreconcepts of one or more implementations.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A computer program product for threadtransition management, the computer program product comprising: anon-transitory computer readable medium having computer readable programcode embodied therewith, the computer readable program code comprisingcomputer readable program code configured to: cause a processor toaccess two data register sets coupled to a computer memory, the two dataregister sets usable by the processor as first-level registers forthread execution; determine whether a quantity of the first-levelregisters needed to execute one or more threads exceeds a quantity ofthe first-level registers of the two data register sets; and responsiveto determining that the quantity of the first-level registers needed toexecute the one or more threads exceeds the quantity of the first-levelregisters of the two data register sets, assign a portion of main memoryor cache memory as second-level registers, the second-level registersserving as registers of at least one of the two data register sets forexecuting the one or more threads.
 2. The computer program product ofclaim 1, wherein the computer readable program code is configured tocause the processor to use the second-level registers in a mirrored dataprocessing mode and a split data processing mode.
 3. The computerprogram product of claim 1, wherein the computer readable program codeis configured to cause the processor to move thread data in at least oneof the first-level registers to the second-level registers.
 4. Thecomputer program product of claim 1, wherein the computer readableprogram code is configured to cause the processor to move thread data inat least one of the second-level registers to the first-level registers.5. The computer program product of claim 1, wherein the computerreadable program code is configured to cause the processor to movethread data between the first-level registers and the second-levelregisters to address an imbalance of thread execution between the twodata register sets.
 6. A system comprising: a computer memory; two dataregister sets coupled to the computer memory; and a processor coupled tothe two data register sets, the two data register sets usable by theprocessor as first-level registers for thread execution, the processorconfigured to: determine whether a quantity of the first-level registersneeded to execute one or more threads exceeds a quantity of thefirst-level registers of the two data register sets; and responsive todetermining that the quantity of the first-level registers needed toexecute the one or more threads exceeds the quantity of the first-levelregisters of the two data register sets, assign a portion of main memoryor cache memory as second-level registers, the second-level registersserving as registers of at least one of the two data register sets forexecuting the one or more threads.
 7. The system of claim 6, wherein theprocessor is configured to use the second-level registers in a mirroreddata processing mode and a split data processing mode.
 8. The system ofclaim 6, wherein the processor is further configured to move thread datain at least one of the first-level registers to the second-levelregisters.
 9. The system of claim 6, wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to move thread data in at least one of the second-levelregisters to the first-level registers.
 10. The system of claim 6,wherein the processor is further configured to move thread data betweenthe first-level registers and the second-level registers to address animbalance of thread execution between the two data register sets.
 11. Amethod comprising: providing two data register sets coupled to aprocessor; using, by the processor, the two register sets as first-levelregisters for thread execution; determining whether a quantity of thefirst-level registers needed to execute one or more threads exceeds aquantity of the first-level registers of the two data register sets; andresponsive to determining that the quantity of the first-level registersneeded to execute the one or more threads exceeds the quantity of thefirst-level registers of the two data register sets, assigning a portionof main memory or cache memory as second-level registers, thesecond-level registers serving as registers of at least one of the twodata register sets for executing the one or more threads.
 12. The methodof claim 11, further comprising using the second-level registers in amirrored data processing mode and a split data processing mode.
 13. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising moving thread data in at leastone of the first-level registers to the second-level registers.
 14. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising moving thread data in at leastone of the second-level registers to the first-level registers.
 15. Themethod of claim 11, further comprising moving thread data between thefirst-level registers and the second-level registers to address animbalance of thread execution between the two data register sets.